Michael Grace, Jr. : Songs, a little singing, farfisa. Lisa Ronson: Singing, hereditary metaphysics. Darren Amadio: Guitar Anti-heroism. Tod Karasik: Drum Anti-heroism. Kurt Brondo: Things with keys, buttons, fuses. Gil Abad: Bass guitar, continentialism. Erin Dermody: Singing, long-distance running. With special guest Audrey Morse on violin.
Influences
The Us we never knew. The Us we know too well.
Sounds Like
What critics have said about the past songs of Michael Grace Jr.
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This is music that matters to me. The songs have become requirements; Grace's obsessions suddenly seem to have become mine. The alien, the girl or boy "differing in nature or character typically to the point of incompatibility," to quote Webster's. This band reflects an amalgamation, of sounds and styles while all the while retaining an awareness of the awkwardness of youth. Each single track is better than most bands' entire album
-Ink 19
This pristine, heartbreaking panorama of teenage wastelands past and future is no mope-fest: tight instrumentation and clever lyrics give it a near-lethal bite and snap.
-Gear
When Belle and Sebastian recently performed in New York, the Scottish popsters specifically requested the presence of one band to open the show. Nope, it wasn't Hall & Oates, but good guess. It was the Long Island ensemble called My Favorite. It's really no surprise that B&S would be drawn to the chirpy pop melodies and dark, quixotic lyrics, and titles that could even make Morrissey smile...
-Boston Globe
Their "nostalgia for meaningful things," which includes black anoraks and synthesized strings, creates enough distance from the music's initial inspiration to block the pain and allow them to bask in the unmitigated joy of melodies well-delivered.
-Rolling Stone.com
Stage noir with silent dialogue that tells you high school is death and pop songs are the afterlife. And beyond this, that pop music is a kind of purgatory truth: There's no half-allegiances here--you were born to die a teenager. Be a ghost or be boring.
-Twin City Pages
Poetic themes find their perfect companion in a glorious concoction of arching, melancholy synth lines, arpeggiated '80s guitar melodies, and wistful, cooing vocals. A loving tribute to fallen idols...
-The Big Takeover
Songwriter Michael Grace delivers themes of isolation and alienation matched with upbeat tunes and sweet voices...creating a pleasantly ironic group of songs that suggest dejected suburban dwelling can inspire beauty.
-Boston Weekly
With a firm focus on melody and dance mechanics, the group has built themselves quite a following... in a time when monstrous hordes of new wave bands are springing up from the ground like potatoes wearing sunglasses, it's important to be able to recognize what made new wave so important to begin with, and why it's worth drawing upon.
-Splendid e-zine
The Secret History was formed by cult indie pop singer/songwriter Michael Grace Jr., formerly of MY FAVORITE, and his decade long collaborators.
The Secret History crystallized when Grace met vocalist Lisa Ronson, daughter of Bowie guitarist & glam rock legend Mick Ronson. She had answered an ad in The Village Voice seeking a 'Female Voice/Tragic Cult Figure.' The addition of Erin Dermody singing harmonies, completed the band. Together they are creating a new form of continental art rock, drawing from the jangles of rainy Manchester, the stomp of glam, the innocence of the girl groups, and the anxiety of disco.
Their debut, the “Desolation Town e.p. (Le Grand Magistery)” brought praise, and comparisons Roxy Music, The Smiths and The Patti Smith Band. A Full length record, tentatively titled "The World That Never Was," is slated for a Fall release.
The Secret History has played riotous shows alongside artists like Love Is All, The World Inferno Friendship Society, The Pains of Being Pure at Hearts, Boyracer, My Teenage Stride and others.
I totally love My Favorite and I'm glad I've found you. Just ordered my Secret History Ep, and just can't wait to get it delivered and fill my home with such good music. Best regards!
Echoing the sentiments of the person below me, I suggest a trip to Seattle ought to be planned in your future. Near future, preferably. I'm a patient person though, so I can wait.
